The White Sniper: Simo Häyhä

By Tapio A. M. Saarelainen

The remarkable story of the Finnish marksman nicknamed “White Death” by the Red Army for his record number of confirmed kills.
 
Simo Häyhä is the most famous sniper in the world. During the Winter War fought between Russia and Finland from 1939 to 1940, he had 542 confirmed kills with iron sights, a record that still stands today.
 
A man of action who spoke very little, Simo Häyhä was hugely respected by his men and his superiors and given many difficult missions, including taking out specific targets. Able to move silently and swiftly through the landscape, melting into the snowbound surroundings in his white camouflage fatigues, his aim was deadly and his quarry rarely escaped. The Russians learned of his reputation as a marksman and tried several times to kill him by indirect fire. He was promoted from corporal to second lieutenant, and he was awarded the Cross of Kollaa. For sniping, Simo Häyhä only ever used his own M/28-30 rifle. Eventually, his luck ran out, and Simo received a serious head wound on March 6,1940, though he subsequently recovered.
 
The White Sniper fully explores Simo Häyhä’s life, his exploits in the Winter War, the secrets behind his success, including character and technique, and also includes a detailed look at his rifle itself. There are appendices on the basics of shooting, the impact of fire on the battlefield, battles on the Kollaa Front during the Winter War, and a list of ranked snipers of the world.
 
“No matter how many books on sniping you have read, this must be added to your list if you are serious about shooting.” —GunMart

• Language: English
• Publisher: Casemate Publishers
• Release date: Oct 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781612004303

Book preview

Published in the United States of America and Great Britain in 2016 by

CASEMATE PUBLISHERS

1950 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083, USA

and

10 Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford OX1 2EW, UK

© Tapio A.M. Saarelainen 2016

Hardcover Edition: ISBN 978-1-61200-429-7

Digital Edition: ISBN 978-1-61200-430-3 (epub)

A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the publisher in writing.

Printed and bound in the United States of America

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Abbreviations:

JR Jaeger regiment

I/JR 1st battalion of a jaeger regiment

1./JR 1st company of a jaeger regiment

Contents

Foreword

Part I

Simo Häyhä’s Official Record

Farmer, Hunter and Civil Guard Member

The Magic Sniper of the Winter War

Simo Gets Wounded

Life after the Winter War

Part II

The Secrets of Simo Häyhä’s Success

Simo Häyhä’s Rifle

Using Simo Häyhä’s Experiences for the Finnish Army

An Example for Future Generations

Epilogue

Appendix 1 The Basics of Shooting

Appendix 2 The Impact of Fire on the Battlefield

Appendix 3 The Battles on the Kollaa Front during the Winter War

Appendix 4 Ranked Snipers of the World

Acknowledgements

Bibliography

Foreword

According to an American study, an average of 7,000 rifle-caliber shots was required to achieve one combat kill during the First World War. During the Vietnam War this number had increased to 25,000. Considering, however, that a professionally trained sniper only requires an average of 1.3 shots to attain the same outcome, these figures are startling.

This book is dedicated to one such sniper, the legendary Finnish hero, Simo Häyhä, who served his country with distinction during the 1939–1940 conflict known as the Winter War against the former Soviet Union. It is also known as the Russo-Finnish War but the term the Winter War will be used throughout this book. The main intent of this work is twofold—first, to explain the remarkable story of a man whose life spanned almost a century, and second, to honor a humble warrior who, through his personal example and achievements in combat epitomized the highest traits of a professional soldier who performed his duty to his nation without objection—he did what he was ordered to do and he did it well. Without hesitation, he fulfilled his duties as a soldier and squad leader; setting an example of courage and bravery that personified the unwavering Finnish spirit that helped unify this proud nation during these troubled times. Despite his wartime actions, however, Simo Häyhä avoided public adulation, preferring to lead a quiet, unassuming life after the war. As he humbly remarked to this author in one interview, I did what I was told to, as well as I could. There would be no Finland unless everyone else had done the same. To be sure, what Simo accomplished in the war was neither easy nor pleasant. As a sniper, his duty was to kill his target; an unavoidable assignment. And, as this book will confirm, he accomplished this task with unparalleled success.

In life, not all decisions are easy to make. This is what ran through Simo Häyhä’s mind during the early morning hours of the Kollaa dawn in December 1939. In preparation, as he would prepare for each of his countless missions in the Winter War, he carefully inserted each D-166 bullet into the fixed magazine of his rifle, conscious of the fact that the rimmed cases of this particular cartridge required proper alignment; placing each round ahead of the previous one so that all would feed properly and prevent jamming. When he finished, he checked the fully loaded magazine and began his silent journey to his position. There he would quietly remain, awaiting the sunrise that would help pinpoint the location of his Russian quarry. Then, his only thought would be, one shot, one kill. For a Finnish soldier defending his homeland, nothing else mattered.

Perhaps the most famous picture ever taken of Simo Häyhä. Field Marshal C. G. E. Mannerheim promoted Corporal Simo Häyhä to second lieutenant on August 28, 1940. In this way the Field Marshal showed his gratitude and admiration for the work done by Simo Häyhä. It was also in recognition of the Winter War spirit that Simo Häyhä had fostered through his actions on the Kollaa Front. No man in Finnish history has ever received this kind of promotion. The decorations awarded to him are also unique. They represent his extraordinary strength of mind and soul and his devotion to fulfill the tasks given to him.

Simo Häyhä at his studio apartment in Ruokolahti municipality on April 25, 2001. This was his last visit home. He was collecting his personal items before returning to the Institute of Disabled War Veterans in Hamina where he had been living for a while. He was very aware that he might not return. He was calm as we drank our last cups of coffee together in his home. The very last thing he did before leaving was to stand and take in the breathtaking view over Lake Saimaa. An unforgettable moment filled with melancholy but also with warmth. (Veikko Vento)

By the time Simo reached his position, it was still twilight, almost dark. The surrounding countryside was quiet, allowing Simo to think and prepare himself accordingly for the mission. Operating alone, far from friendly lines, he could ill-afford to make a single mistake. Nevertheless, he remained confident, certain that his years of military training, as a skilled hunter and knowledge of the terrain would give him an advantage over the Russians.

Finland’s location in Europe.

Of particular importance, as an expert sniper, Simo Häyhä was satisfied with reliability of his weapon. It was his personal Model 28-30, a rifle that had served him well throughout the 1930s and would no doubt continue to do so in this war. With proper maintenance, it functioned flawlessly. Jamming occurred seldom, if ever. This was very significant considering the temperatures during the Winter War were extraordinarily cold, ranging between –20 and –40 degrees Celsius. Simo was well used to cold weather. The only thing that really annoyed him was the invading Russians. However, he could not feel hatred for them. All that mattered to him now was to wait for the dawn in the eastern sky to emerge. Once that occurred, the Russians would be clearly fixed in the sights of his weapon. Death would be swift.

Map showing the location of Kollaa.

For anyone who has served in the military, accomplishing the mission is of paramount importance. Nothing less than total commitment towards achieving it is unacceptable. As a sniper, Simo Häyhä’s mission was to kill the enemy; and his commitment in accomplishing this unpleasant task remained the central focus of his effort throughout the Winter War. His was a solitary, demanding duty; one which required him to endure the most extreme elements of Mother Nature. Anyone who has lived in Finland during winter will tell you it is not for the faint hearted. Furthermore, Simo Häyhä was responsible for the lives of other men. He was a squad leader, a non-commissioned officer, responsible for taking care of and setting an example for his soldiers on a daily basis. Yet so successfully would Simo carry out this role that he is often credited with unilaterally establishing what would become known to all Finns in this war as the Spirit of Kollaa. Having said that, however, he never sought personal recognition for his actions, even though he was destined to become the most successful sniper in history—achieving a total of 542 kills. Simo Häyhä participated in the Winter War for 98 days. Unfortunately, during the very last days of the Winter War, he suffered a serious wound that came close to ending his life. But as Simo would be the first one to tell anyone, no one can choose one’s own destiny.

In studying Finland’s past, one cannot but wonder how history seemingly repeats itself. For, within the last 90 years, this small, proud nation of 3 million people would emerge free and independent in 1918 following the devastation of the First World War, suffer through a terrible period of violence in its own Civil War immediately afterwards, fight with unbridled heroism against unspeakable odds during the Winter War of 1939–1940, before enduring untold suffering and hardship during 1941–1944 in what this nation refers to as its Continuation War against the Soviet Union.

For over sixty years, however, Finland has remained at peace. But in my opinion, sixty years is far too short a period of time to risk becoming complacent. To be sure, the Finnish people have comfortably adapted to these years of safety, comfort and economic prosperity; one might even argue lulled into a who would want to attack us now mentality. But such an attitude can be harmful. For if the leaders of Finland are not careful, this proud nation risks once again the ugly fact that an unforeseen strike on her soil is a distinct possibility.

For those who would disagree, it is wise to remember the statement, Si vis pacem, para bellum—If you want peace, prepare for war; fitting words written by Flavius Vegetius Renatus, Roman military strategist and author of De Re Militari, a work dedicated to the discussion of military matters, who clearly understood and discussed the absence of military power. Renatus believed that if one’s own homeland was not willing to employ its army to defend itself, it was certain that another nation would be more than ready to do so with its own military. Simply put, there is never a permanent absence of a military presence it’s impossible to completed.

Constant vigilance is vital to the continued freedom and security of a nation and its people. This is neither a paranoid nor futile point of view as some may think during this period of stability and peace. To be sure, there is a cost and price for Finland to maintain such an army. It is, after all, the People’s Army; reason enough to ensure it remains the most cost-efficient way to keep this nation independent, ready and prepared for what the future may hold. To think otherwise risks repeating the dangers of the past. The warning is clear—anyone who believes their nation can effectively react late to an attack on its own doorstep must accept the dire consequences that will undoubtedly follow. For then, it will be too late. The game is over before it even began.

The reader should keep in mind, however, that this book focuses on the life and accomplishments of one man, Simo Häyhä, a Finnish soldier whose role as a sniper and leader during the Winter War is legendary. It is not an in-depth history of the entire war. And though the events described here took place over sixty years ago, significant lessons learned from Simo Häyhä’s experiences are still applicable today, if not more so. For instance, what a sniper faces today on the modern and future battlefield is a rapidly changing and tremendously challenging environment. Technological advances of course play a role, yet perhaps more important is the realization that unlike wars in the past, there are no clear front lines today. Battles are now fought simultaneously at all levels of command with multiple targets spread over a vast area.

Thus within this new environment, the modern sniper still remains a viable military asset. With proper training, he can attain significant advantages on the battlefield by destroying high value enemy targets of opportunity. Consequently, there must always be sufficient numbers of sniper instructors and trainees on hand for an army to effectively meet the challenges of the modern and future battlefield. This equally applies to a soldier’s equipment, which must be modern as well. A small country such as Finland, with limited resources, can ill-afford to purchase outmoded material. Rather, it must continue allocating sufficient funds to buy the most modern and best-performing gear available. In recent years, this has been the case. But in 1939, on the eve of the Winter War, the opposite was all too apparent. As for Simo Häyhä, he experienced it first-hand. This is his story.

Over the years, much has been written about Simo Häyhä. Unfortunately, most of these works only contain second-hand information regarding his incredible life. Though more material has now recently surfaced, my personal interest in this legendary figure only began in 1997. Before then, I was only a casual reader of Simo’s career; not too concerned about specifically collecting any research material on him. What limited information I did have was authored by others. To Finns, Simo Häyhä is probably best known from the popular book, Kollaa Kestää (Kollaa Holds) (1940), by Erkki Palolampi. Another book, White Death by Petri Sarjanen, also recounts his heroic exploits in the Winter War. One similar pattern from these accounts that I noticed, however, was that none of the authors were able to get close enough to Simo to conduct a personal interview. One reason for this was that Häyhä himself remained silent about his deeds during the Winter War, preferring instead to keep a low profile. At first, this made it difficult for me to identify topics I considered most crucial for my own book.

As I stated earlier, my main intent in writing this book was to honor a genuine Finnish hero. Yes, much has been written about this quiet, unassuming man, but I felt that a great deal of information was still missing. Since Simo firmly believed that his actions and deeds during the Winter War should speak for themselves, my most demanding and difficult task was to try and get this hero to talk to me. Accordingly, I was fortunate enough to get introduced to Simo in 1997 which eventually led to my becoming friends with him. This alone took a few years, over many phone calls and even more visits. During this time, I also conducted additional research and interviews with Simo’s family members and others who knew him. In particular, I would like to mention two farmers, Raimo Partinen and Ensio Friari, who both contributed crucial information for this book. Knowledge is useful only when shared and Simo Häyhä’s lessons for snipers are worth passing on to future generations so